The Ailao Mountains in southwest China’s Yunnan Province offer breathtaking winter views, attracting visitors from across the country. From November to March, the early mornings reveal a serene spectacle: clouds quietly rising, followed by golden sunlight piercing through, casting a warm glow over the mountains and rolling mist.

Stretching around 400 kilometres across central Yunnan, the Ailao Mountains are often likened to a “green dragon” winding through the landscape. Beyond their scenic beauty, the region is rich in biodiversity, hosting rare and endangered species such as the green peacock and clouded leopard. 

The mountains also feature one of China’s best-preserved subtropical montane wet evergreen broad-leaved forests, making them a destination that combines natural wonder with ecological significance.

Source: China Central Television